Once I had managed to force down half a croissant, I went to get ready for gymnastics. I couldn’t wait to get there and get lost in throwing my body around. Gymnastics was an escape that I longed for every day. I loved how all my thoughts disappeared, and all that was left was a normal, teen-aged me, a version of me that I wanted to be all the time.
We pulled up outside the front door of the gym and Mum kissed me on the cheek.
“Have a good time. I’ll see you when you get home.”
I smiled briefly and got out of the car, shutting the door behind me. Cole was going to pick me up after practice, and we were going somewhere.
Gymnastics was as great as usual. I spent a lot of time practising the beam routine, balancing in positions that had made my eyes water at the very thought of them when I first joined. I flipped off the beam, and flew though the air; a smile pulled at my lips. I could do this forever, I thought, landing gracefully on the floor.
“That was amazing, Oakley,” Marcus exclaimed. “You nailed it! Go again.” Nodding, I ran around to the other end of the beam to start again.
I was panting by the end of the class: my muscles ached, but I liked the feeling; it was the feeling of achievement.
“Alright guys, same time Monday,” Marcus shouted, dismissing us all.
I sprinted to the changing rooms and took a quick shower. I didn’t want to be all sweaty for whatever Cole had planned, so I changed into some fresh clothes and tried to tame my messy hair. Looking in the mirror, I groaned. My hair looked like a bird’s nest, sticking out in all different directions.
“Need a hairbrush?” Jade offered, handing hers out to me. I smiled gratefully and dragged it through the unruly blonde mass. When I finished, I placed it down in front of where she was applying her eyeliner and smiled again.
“You’re welcome,” she mumbled, looking in the mirror with an intense concentration. Giving her a quick wave, I ran out of the door, eager to meet up with Cole.
I saw him immediately. He was leaning up against the wall in the entrance.
“Hey,” he said happily and kissed my cheek. “I thought we could have lunch and go bowling now. Then I’ll take you home to get ready for tonight.”
I bit my lip to try to stop myself grinning too much and looking like a creep.
“I’m not telling you where we’re going tonight though,” he teased, bumping my shoulder with his. “Just wear something casual.”
Cole grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him. I slammed against his chest and gasped in shock. Before I could think anything, his lips covered mine. I felt dizzy with happiness. He beamed as he abruptly pulled away.
“Come on, I’m starving!”
We drove to the bowling alley in comfortable silence and parked as close to the door as he could get so we wouldn’t have to walk too far. We were seated in the restaurant quickly at as barely anyone was eating at two in the afternoon.
“Oakley, your mum told me something yesterday. I’m not meant to say anything, but I don’t think I can do that,” he said nervously. Great, so she tells everyone about my appointment except me. I nodded once for him to continue.
“Err,” he started, rubbing the back of his neck. “She’s taking you to a doctor.”
He spoke carefully, worried about my reaction. When I didn’t have any, he frowned.
“You knew about it already?”
I nodded in confirmation.
He thought about it for a minute, chewing on the inside of his mouth.
“Are you going?”
I shrugged my shoulders. What choice did I have? I would go, but it wouldn’t achieve anything except wasting Mum’s petrol.
“Maybe it would be a good idea to go,” he said cautiously.
I clamped my jaw shut in frustration and turned away from him. Why did we have to talk about it? This was supposed to be a good day, yet now I was wishing I had stayed in bed.
“Sorry, I’m ruining this already, aren’t I? I just want you to be okay; that’s all.” He took my hand and interlaced our fingers. The waitress came by so Cole ordered for us.
“Bowling now,” he announced and chucked money down to cover the bill.
We played three games of bowling; I won the first game and he won the last two. I have to admit, my concentration wasn’t at its best with him around.
Cole drove me home so I could change and get ready for the date, whatever it was. Mum and Dad were out so thankfully I wouldn’t have to answer their questions about tonight. “I’ll pick you up in an hour.” I nodded and ran into the house. One hour to shower, do my hair, and pick out something to wear.
With only minutes to spare, I ran downstairs to wait for Cole to turn up. The doorbell rang just as I grabbed my coat off the hook. I took a second to calm down, and then opened the door. Stop being so nervous!
“Hey. Whoa.” His eyes raked over me. I pulled at the sleeves of my jumper uncomfortably. The way he was looking at me made me feel self-conscious. “You look hot, Oakley.”
Blushing furiously, I smiled half-heartedly, suddenly feeling exposed.
“Ready?”
“Oakley,” Jasper shouted from upstairs. I hadn’t even seen him since breakfast. No doubt, he was sleeping in all day so he could go clubbing again. He came thudding down the stairs and leant over the bannister.